Glass Makeup Is Summer's Hottest Beauty Trend

Lip, Mouth, Red, Close-up, Skin, Lip gloss, Beauty, Chin, Nose, Flesh,

(Image credit: JASON HETHERINGTON)

last updated 8 October 2021

Who has time to put in all the effort it takes to get skin so perfect it looks like glass? The poreless, luminous complexion that took over the Interwebs a few years ago is old news. The new thinking: Fake it til you make it with glass makeup. These lip, cheek, and face products have a reflective finish that's chicer than the glittery glosses and highlighters of yore. Plus, the shine they deliver will detract from any complexion imperfections (if you consider them imperfections, that is). Strategic, no?

1/13

Gloss Boss

Matte had its moment and, let’s be honest, it wasn’t super flattering. “Those flat lip colors settle into the little lines and look all crackly,” says New York City–based makeup artist Nam Vo. “I’d rather lips look like juicy candy.”

Click through for our favorite products to get the look.

2/13

Hourglass Unreal High Shine Volumizing Lip Gloss

Lip gloss is having a resurgence, and this one has a luxurious slip. Bonus: Your hair won't get stuck in it. Promise.

3/13

NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tint

Is it an oil? A gloss? A tint? A gel? It's all of the above.

4/13

Clarins Lip Comfort Oil

The serum-like consistency of this tinted gloss feels unbelievably comfortable on your lips.

5/13

Dew Point

Glossy highlighters like Beautyblender’s Glass Glow Shinelighter (opens in new tab) and Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow Liquid Illuminator (opens in new tab) give skin an almost-wet effect that’s so much cooler than the shimmery dusting you get from powder highlighters. The key to application? Exfoliate any “texture” (makeup artist–speak for rough patches) and “moisturize the hell out of your face” before you apply them, says Vo. If the high-shine look is too intimidating, just set your usual makeup with an illuminating face spray, like Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist (opens in new tab).

Shop our faves, ahead.

6/13

Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow Face Liquid Highlighter

Swipe this on the tops of cheekbones for an opalescent sheen that that's not at all sticky.

7/13

Beautyblender Glass Glow Shinelighter Crystal Clear Highlighter

This gel is no shimmer, all shine.

8/13

Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick

Makeup artists are obsessed with this highlighting stick that delivers natural-looking luminosity.

9/13

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

The lazy girl's trick to radiant skin: Mist this on top of your makeup.

10/13

Lacquer Up

Use the new oil-infused lip and cheek colors anywhere you want a subtle flush with lots of skin-illuminating hydration. So, yes, your cheeks and lips—but why not your eyelids too? The hues are so sheer, you can’t really screw it up.

Find the right tools, ahead.

11/13

Flesh Fleshpot Eye & Cheek Gloss

Yes, that's a tiny bit of shimmer, but it's sophisticated—the way the "glass makeup" should be.

12/13

MILK MAKEUP Glow Oil Lip + Cheek

These multipurpose tints are amped up with an oil infusion for maximum glow.

13/13

Rodin Luxury Lip & Cheek Oil

Don't let the saturated look of this oil fool you: The pigments sink into skin for dewy, barely-there color.

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This story originally appeared in the August issue of Marie Claire.

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Jennifer Goldstein is the former beauty & health director of Marie Claire and co-host of the award-winning beauty podcast Fat Mascara. In her quest to uncover the world's beauty secrets, she’s gotten tattooed in New Zealand, dug up turmeric in India, harvested shea nuts in Ghana, and squeezed enzyme-rich eggs from salmon in Norway. She can pluck eyebrows like a pro and has read the FDA monograph on sunscreen labeling and effectiveness—but she still can’t get liquid eyeliner to look the same on both eyes.